Someday soon—in a year, two tops—you won't think twice if you hear the words, &quot;THE RAYS ARE IN THE WORLD SERIES!&quot; In the meantime these young American League champs are worthy of taking on the Phillies

Many a tree has been felled, many a sonnet delivered in the name of the Cubs fan and his 100 years of suffering—but what of the snakebitten Philadelphia fan, whose own title drought stands at precisely 100 seasons?

To cut it as an NFL cornerback requires the ability to read minds, eyes and hips; the tools to match up with wideouts half a foot taller; and above all the ego to bounce back from regular doses of abject—and very public—humiliation

Sixteen months after he was chosen first overall, a healthy Greg Oden has finally taken the court for the Blazers. With the addition of his rebounding and shot blocking—and maybe even his scoring—to a talented core, Portland is ready to make a move in the West

Extra Credit

WHEN I took over as coach of the Lady Pumas of Maria Carrillo High in Santa Rosa, Calif., earlier this year, one of my goals was for the girls to be better golfers at the end of the year than they were at the start. Heading into the final week of the regular season, our team had steadily improved and was in first place with a 10--2 record. Still I sensed we needed a jolt of inspiration for the home stretch.

Given that I'm a writer who had never coached golf or girls before, I didn't have a Gipper story to fall back on, but I did have connections at the LPGA that could get my team inside the ropes at the Longs Drugs Challenge, which was taking place right in the Bay area. So on Oct. 11 we set out for Blackhawk Country Club in Danville.

After her round we met Brittany Lincicome, an outgoing and engaging 23-year-old with two tour wins. She mixed easily with our girls, pointing out that there are college scholarships going begging for young woman golfers. Lincicome herself skipped college, joining the LPGA months after high school graduation. "The first year was tough," she admitted. "It took a while to get acclimated."

We also met Morgan Pressel, who at age 12 had set the record as the youngest golfer to qualify for a U.S. Open and at 18 had been the youngest woman to win a major championship when she triumphed at the Kraft Nabisco. Now 20, she echoed Lincicome's sentiment that life on tour is not all fun and games. "When you don't play well it feels like a job," she said after signing for a frustrating 75. Asked what she had to sacrifice to realize success at such a young age, Pressel said she did not consider her choices to be sacrifices. "I had something I wanted," she said, "and I was determined to achieve it." The girls grasped that her point applied not only to golf: Becoming exceptional at anything in life requires hard work and commitment.

Pressel also spoke about the importance of striking a balance. That resonated with the Lady Pumas, who juggle contending for a league title with the demands of school and the added distraction of the upcoming SATs. (As if her golf wasn't impressive enough, Pressel scored a near-perfect mark on her math SAT.)

That point was driven home by Paula Creamer, who also shared time with our team. "It was hard to accept the fact that I was not going to lead a normal teenage life," said Creamer, who at 22 has won eight tournaments, including four this year, "but I wanted to hold a trophy more than have a sleepover."

Our day proved both enlightening and inspiring. "The players made it seem attainable," said Rebecca Krauthamer, a senior. "If not the LPGA, at least college golf," concurred Eva Gallagher, a sophomore and our No. 1 player. "It's all about belief," said my daughter, Ella, also a senior, "and knowing what is important to you."

Proving that Creamer's scenario need not be an either-or proposition, the Lady Pumas gathered for a sleepover that night, then came out blazing last Thursday. They won their final match by 21 strokes to claim the school's first league championship. It was a great way to head into the SATs.

Scott Gummer is the author of Homer Kelley's Golfing Machine (Gotham) due this spring.

GOLF PLUS will next appear in the Nov. 17 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED.

TRUST ME by RICK LIPSEY

The ADT pullout could signal the beginning of the end for the LPGA.

New Math

Padraig Harrington wins PGA of America's player of the year award

HARD WORK + TENACITY - MAJOR OBSTACLE + LIKABILITY √ó HARDWARE = POY

PHOTOGARY SEGRAVES (JANG)

STUDY HALL The Lady Pumas took note as Jeong Jang tried to roll one in.